Japanese Privet (lingustrum japonica) suggestions

Here are some pictures of a Lingustrum Japonica (aka japanese privet) that I found on a walk earlier this week. I potted, wired and did some initial pruning on (2/24).  It was growing in dense ground weeds and in heavy shade.  I wired the branches into this umbrella look. I also stuck a lower branche into the soil. I live on The Big Island of Hawaii at 1000' of elevation.

I had a few question about directions to take this tree.

- Will the lower branch bent into the soil develop into a root like structure?
- How much sunlight does this tree need.
- When is the ideal time to prune and do additonal wiring?
- How long should I leave on the current wiring?
- What's the best way to promote ramification?
- How do you promote flowering?
- Is there anyway to promote the formation of lower branches
- Any additional tips or comments would also be greatly appreciated.

Mahalo,
Fasil

- Will the lower branch bent into the soil develop into a root like structure?

If you shaved the trunk to the cambium and treated with rooting hormone -- probably.

- How much sunlight does this tree need.

As much as it can get.

- When is the ideal time to prune and do additonal wiring?

Pretty much anytime.

- How long should I leave on the current wiring?

Ligustrum have long memories; as long as you can without cutting into the bark, and you may have to rewire immediately.

- What's the best way to promote ramification?

Heavy pruning, but this is a privet. It will sprout new branches, but not always where you want them.

- How do you promote flowering?

The only privet I know well is L. sinensis and you do not want it to flower because it stinks.

- Is there anyway to promote the formation of lower branches

See above.

- Any additional tips or comments would also be greatly appreciated.

Lots of water.

I think Jim covered just about all your questions on the Japanese Ligustrum. Ligustrums are related to Olives, and should be treated similarly. While it'll survive in a shady place, this species will do best in a sunny location - you'll get more and better branching and smaller leaves. Use well drained soil, but keep moist. After a couple years of good care you'll see flowers, but they're at the ends of the branches but usually look too long, aesthetically. I think the flowers smell sweet and not offensive at all with just a couple plants. That is.. unless you have a long hedge of them, and the smell can be VERY overwhelming - and allergy causing!

As for styling your tree.. I would focus right now on just giving some movement to the branches and plan on cutting them WAY back when the tree is healthy and growing strongly. Maybe back to an inch or two from the trunk, and develop the branching with clip-and-grow. Wire is used to "aim" the branches, but pruning becomes the main way to shape them. You'll get much better taper and a more convincing silhouette if done in this way. Plenty of people use the smaller leafed L. sinense, but the L. japonica is a terrific candidate for Bonsai too!